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While 2022 was an amazing year for books, 2023 is looking even more exciting! While we may still be wrapped up in our festive reads bubble, there are lots of upcoming highly anticipated reads to add to your 'To Be Read' list. Whether your New Year's resolution is to read more, or you just want to know what books everyone will be talking about throughout the year, this list will be your ultimate guide to 2023's best book releases.
Last year I read more than I ever have before, and I've really enjoyed discovering new genres and new favourite authors. I know I'm looking forward to expanding my reading even more in 2023, and every one of these releases is on my 2023 reading list. We've got everything from Prince Harry's momentous memoir to Emily Henry's newest dreamy rom-com to look forward to, plus some debut novels from exciting new and diverse authors. There's something for every taste in my list, so find your preferred genres and get those pre-orders in!
Holly Black brings fans back to the world of Elfhame previously loved in her Folk of the Air trilogy. The Stolen Heir is the first book in the spinoff duology that focuses on a changeling queen and a deadly quest. After enjoying The Cruel Prince (the first book in the Folk of Air trilogy) I will definitely be reading the rest of Holly Black’s books in 2023!
Out 5 January
In what will undoubtedly be one of the biggest memoirs of 2023, Prince Harry tells his side of the story about life within the Royal Family. After gaining so much more insight into his life with Meghan Markle in their recent Netflix docuseries, we certainly can’t wait to see what he shares with us in this new memoir.
Out 10 January
Die hard dark academia fans loved Leigh Bardugo’s Ninth House, and this thrilling follow up brings major sinister intrigue as university faculty members start turning up very dead very frequently. (You may be already familiar with Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone trilogy, which is now a Netflix series!)
Out 10 January
Perfect for fans of dark academia stories like The Secret History and If We Were Villains (two of my favourites from 2022), this debut revolves around a toxic friendship at Edinburgh University.
Out 12 January
From the best-selling author of The Appeal and The Twyford Code comes another mystery full of twist and turns that focuses on a true-crime writer investigating the historic case of a disturbing cult. I’ll read anything about a cult TBH.
Out 19 January
This debut was written by an art history professor, and has been referred to as The Secret History meets Ninth House (aka dark academia icons). It’s about a mysterious group of art researchers who find a fifteenth-century tarot deck that may hold the key to unlocking contemporary fortune telling. Already obsessed!
Out 19 January
2023 is set to be the year of witchy reads, and Weyward is one of the most exciting titles to come. In this debut, a woman fleeing an abusive relationship heads for Weyward Cottage and makes a startling discovery about her ancestors.
Out 2 February
In this gothic tale, an actress makes a pact with an ancient Greek muse to become the greatest performer of all time.
Out 2 February
A 1920s-themed murder mystery evening in a country house turns surprisingly realistic in this thriller from the bestselling author of A Fatal Crossing.
Out 2 February
This debut is about a modern woman desperately trying to break free from her Ghanian parents' expectations. It’s meant to be a moving, funny story about finally finding out where you truly belong.
Out 16 February
Bloomsbury Publishing Transitional by Munroe Bergdorf
Munroe Bergdrof’s empowering new book will explore the fluidity of identity and relationships, as well as sexuality and gender, and of transition as an experience every person faces in every phase of life.
Out 16 February
When I heard that Samantha Shannon’s The Priory of the Orange Tree was getting a brand new prequel, I immediately bumped it higher up on my TBR list. Luckily, I’ve got until February to read the TikTok fantasy favourite about strong women, adventure and *dragons* before the highly anticipated prequel comes out.
Out 28 February
This debut is a cosy crime/historical romance set in the 1890s about a lady who is reluctant to wed, and decides to find out the truth about her mother's mysterious disappearance ten years earlier.
Out 2 March
Rootless explores love and friendship with a story of a British-Ghanaian marriage in crisis. Sam wants to start a family, but Efe wants to be free from children. When an unplanned pregnancy forces them to confront these differences, Efe and Sam have a big decision to make.
Out 16 March
Set in the world of Ancient Greece and told through the eyes of one of the most infamous characters of Greek mythology, this is a thrilling tale of power and prophecies, and the fierce Queen who fought back at those who wronged her.
Out 30 March
The bestselling author of The Atlas Six has an exciting tale of ambition and sacrifice on the way, and honestly, sign me up for anything she writes. In this story, two sisters and two brothers from rival witch families go head-to-head.
Out 6 April
The bestselling author of Ariadne and Elektra is now bringing Atalanta and her adventures to life in another exciting Greek mythology re-imagining.
Out 13 April
This bold debut novel is about a free-spirited young South Londoner who discovers how friendship can deepen into romantic love. Sounds amazing, but I was sold as soon as I saw its stunning cover, TBH.
Out 20 April
You may have heard of Emily Henry’s massively popular books before (Beach Read and You and Me on Vacation were both five star summer reads for me) but she’s got more swoony rom-com goodness on the way in 2023! Happy Place follows two exes who make a pact while on a group holiday to pretend they haven’t broken up to avoid telling their best friends the truth. Can’t wait!
Out 27 April
This crime debut finds two booksellers drawn towards each other in a sinister game of obsession. Need I say more? I already have chills.
Out 27 April
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